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alpha01
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Finding the "shortest ladder"
Problem
I was given an analogy involving a ladder that goes over a fence and then leans against a wall a meter after the fence. The question wanted me to answer "what is the shortest ladder that goes over the fence and reaches the wall"
I worked out the equation of the "ladder" (i.e line from the ground to the wall) is:
(3sqrt(3) / sin x) + sec x
(where x is the angle the ladder makes with the ground and the wall)
How can i work out the "shortest" ladder that can be made to reach the wall. Is is simply the derivative of the ladder?
Problem
I was given an analogy involving a ladder that goes over a fence and then leans against a wall a meter after the fence. The question wanted me to answer "what is the shortest ladder that goes over the fence and reaches the wall"
The Attempt at a Solution
I worked out the equation of the "ladder" (i.e line from the ground to the wall) is:
(3sqrt(3) / sin x) + sec x
(where x is the angle the ladder makes with the ground and the wall)
How can i work out the "shortest" ladder that can be made to reach the wall. Is is simply the derivative of the ladder?
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